DIY Flatbed Build, Each Step in My Process

The project cost me $800 to build. Supply list is here:

Paint

Fasteners
* 8 1/2” bolts, grade 8, to connect the brackets to the vehicle frame; these will be approximately 1.5” - 2” depending on the thickness of your truck’s frame
* 8 1/2” bolts, grade 8, to connect long rails to the brackets; 4” to travel through your 3” tubing and the supporting brackets
* 1/2” washers, lock washers, and nuts; at least 16 of each threaded to match bolts
* Assorted self tapping screws for attaching accessories to your flatbed
* 1/4”-20 1” bolts to attach your license plate to the tail section

Accessories

Tools
* Welder (stick, MIG, or flux core)
* Angle grinder with grinding, cutting, and flap-disc attachments
* Optional: Plasma cutter and/or horizontal band saw
* Speed square and measuring tape
* Power drill
* Drill press (not necessary but ideal)
* Assorted drill bits
* Orbital sander and sand paper (to finish your deck boards)
* Hand plane
* 1/4”-20 tap for license plate bolts
* Circular saw or chop saw (for cutting decking)
* Hand plane
* Crimpers, wire strippers, heat gun, etc. for making electrical connections
* basic safety gear: ear and eye protection, ventilator, dust mask, gloves, etc.

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Support and follow me:

[ca-sopv]

a man's dream is to have a workshop like this, full of tools, it's like a toy store for us, good job and congratulations

[AlexSomers-dn]

i like the "pop" sound when you turned on the lights at the end and REALLY liked the way the pieces that supported the crossmembers sit beside the frame rails instead of on top of them

[threeriversforge]

Really great build, and some awesome video work! A bit late to the party, but one tip I can share -- when you use large tubing for the cross-members like that, it pays big dividends to fill them with clean sand before you cap them off. It might not seem like much, but packing them full of builders sand with a cup of oil thrown in.... tremendous difference! The sand adds just a bit of weight over the rear tires, making the ride a lot smoother even when the bed's empty. Better traction year round, smoother ride when you hit bumps, and the oil prevents the tubes from rusting from the inside out. On 3x3 tubing, it'd be no problem to have a couple hundred pounds of sand right over your rear tires.

[huckfinn]

Good call on changing the lights at the rear, love the way you slotted the edges to fit in the planks. What i like most about your build is the real heavy duty, chunky structure of it all and not made of matchsticks like some of the others i have seen here. Your fabricating skills are excellent!

[jpontheroad]

Love how the dog is already sitting in the cab ready for the next road trip

[JoelMoulton]

Bravo! I'm in the middle of putting together a flat bed, unfortunatley i get basically one day a week for anytime to work on it. This came out gorgeous!! Great job.

[CynicalDad]

The way you marked out the fender well arc, that was meta. 👌🏻

[DrewandAimeeLemos]

Just found your video...3 things:

1. Thank you for taking the time to hit record, edit, and explain. (its a lot of work!)
2. I love the hoist setup you have for moving metal work around.
3. I love that extra room you have outside (or inside?) with gravel. Seems very useful and I like that it has gravel.

[marcelmallory]

That is one of the nicest DIY flatbeds I have ever seen.

[saltyberserker]

Really appreciate those video. I have had my bed tore off for a month waiting for a plan. I have materials, wood, steal, etc., but I have not been able to et a good plan of action going. This helped tremendously, thank you

[traviscarr]

It looks really good, great job. Nothing like that feeling of accomplishment when you do a project and it turns out first-rate like that did. For some reason it made me think of my dad building a tabletop bar for my mom in the basement to put upstairs in the living room. He built it way too big to fit out the doors and it had to stay in the basement/man cave. I think he thought he was slick but that whole act wasn’t fooling my mother.

[Amputeelife]

I seriously appreciate your videos, it really gave me the confidence I needed just to start. I love welding, just always waiting on a chance. Now I realize people won't necessarily give you a chance to do anything, you have to just take it, and move forward in confidence.

[HBE]

I’ve never watched a flatbed install video in all of YouTube. This was so amazing! I should have stayed in Shop class in high school😂😂

[johnm.]

I must say you went the extra mile to make the bed look neat and tidy. I LIKE IT!

[jmccracken]

Man, that is one beautiful bed you did a great job building it.
Years ago my Dad and I built truck flatbeds and utility trailers.
You have the advantage of 4" angle grinder and Mig Welder we had neither Linclon 225 Tombstone welder. Congrats.

[scrapyardgarage]

One of the best flatbed overview build yet

[RexFields]

Great looking shop and well equipped. A good usable shop makes working easier and more efficient. I'm enjoying your channel and projects.

[UncleStevesWorkshop]

Pretty damn impressive build for the limited shop space n tools man! Love the attitude of not tryna make everything perfect and just getting it done. Gonna make my own soon and couldn't do it without studying yours. Cheers internet friend!

[azaudi]

This guy is a BEAST!!! 1 man team!!!! Get it done ✅

[frankszablewskifromsableir]

I am very thankful you did what you did on your flatbed. It has inspired me. And to say I will do the same or pretty darn similar as your work on the flatbed. Your plans for sale is a must.